The Book Man, He Drives The BookMobile.

Remember the BookMobile or Book Orders back in school? Both brought the books to you. Also, what sort of mileage do you suppose the BookMobile got? A box of my hardcover books must weigh close to 50-60 lbs, that bus must’ve weighed tons.  I always wondered why the paper for the book orders had to be so tissue thin, was it really that expensive to print on some regular stock or at least Sunday circular type of paper?

Anyways, I thrifted some more books. Books are probably the most common thing I buy per volume – excluding drinkable things like energy drinks. Here’s my latest finds all picked up for under $2.99 ea:

October ’08

Hey folks, I found some pretty cool stuff so far this Fall. I was ecstatic to find the Braid 2-disc edition w/ special packaging “Movie Music Vol. 1 & 2” sets for .99 (even though I owned them already individually.) Braid has been my all-time favorite band since about 1999 when I first heard their track “New Nathan Detroits” on the Nowcore! compilation, put out on K-Tel records. My pal Rustle and I even followed them 2 tour dates in the Midwest. Who forfeits Braid cd’s to thrift stores? I’d like to have a stern talk with them…

“FOUR THRIFT STORE SCORES and SEVEN DAYS AGO…” Says honest Abe. I found another Avon brand Abe Lincoln aftershave holder from the 1970’s(?) I’m presuming. I have plans some day to spray paint them both silver and use them as book ends or to flank my bathroom vanity. These are pretty common to find, but they’re near and dear to my heart as the aftershave smell always lingers in these and reminds me of my Grandfather. After 35 years in a bottle you’d think it’d smell rancid, but it smells great – what the hell was in the ingredients back then? Probably straight bourbon, nuclear waste water, and saccharin.

I also found a store that has TONS of blank solid colored t-shirts, I picked up a stack of about 12 for $.99 each. Take THAT American Apparel! My plan is to have my friend screen print my eco-friendly startup companies’ logo on them and give them out as recycled chic swag and promotionals.

Other finds include some books ($.99 ea) by some of my favorite authors, really cool vintage dutch Stelton brand candle holders ($.99) in their exquisitely designed original box, and a massive (screwdriver placed to show scale) old polaroid land camera ($7.99). How “Wes Anderson-esque” is that thing? The case is my favorite part as it has all of it’s original documents and it smells like sweet tarts.

About a blog.

Hello everybody, this is my first post for a very simple idea I have – THINGS I FOUND (at the thrift store). I’m a quasi-minimalist/utilitarian and don’t buy many things in general. Let me make it clear that this blog is in no way a homage to consumerism or the purchasing of shit we don’t necessarily need. Thrifting, I believe is a wonderful way to give an item a second chance.

I am a 26 year old bachelor whom lives in a 2-bedroom apartment in lovely Minneapolis, MN. My roommate is a handsome lil fellow – a cat named Wynstynnn “Rudyhuxtable” Peddycoart. I tell you this because my age and living situation lends me to occasionally purchase needed things for living and utilitarian decor. This is a visual documentation of the things I find and buy – enjoy!